Need to send money to a loved one in the Philippines? Getting payments from a foreign employer? Or withdrawing your hard-earned income from your PayPal account? You’ll need to know Philippine bank codes or BIC code for smooth financial transactions and international money transfers.
Bank certificates and bank statements are important. They’re not just for loans or account verifications. They’re also needed when applying for a Visa on Arrival. You also need it when moving abroad to submit travel documents and show financial capability.
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During the 1970s, it was tough to make payments from one country to another. So the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) helps standardize codes of financial institutions for faster and safer transactions. A bank is usually given a Business Identifier Code or a SWIFT Code so that they can easily identify the bank transactions.
Some visa applications in countries like Australia, Hongkong, or Taiwan may also ask for proof of active local bank accounts – so make sure you have your documents ready.
BRSTN stands for Bank Routing Symbol Transit Numbers, also called Bank Codes. These are 9-digit codes. Platforms like PayPal, Upwork, or Globe Telecom’s GCash use them to send money to Philippine banks.
What is a Swift Code?
In the past, sending money between countries was slow and hard. That changed when SWIFT was created in the 1970s. It stands for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication.
Banks like Metropolitan Bank (Metrobank), Standard Chartered Bank, and Landbank use SWIFT codes. So do Security Bank Corporation and PSBank (Philippine Savings Bank). International banks like Fuji Bank and Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi also use them. Taiwan Cooperative Bank and Industrial Bank of Korea use them too. These codes help with global fund transfers.
What is a Bank Code or BRSTN?
BRSTN stands for Bank Routing Symbol Transit Number. It’s a 9-digit code used for local transfers. You need it when moving money from PayPal or GCash. This includes transfers to CIMB Bank, Tonik Digital Bank, or Philippine Savings Bank.
These codes are often used for local payments. Many online workers use them when withdrawing money from Upwork.
Don’t forget to pack essentials like a water bottle for your journey! Or better yet, jot down your important details in a journal for easy tracking.
Understanding the Swift Code Format
Each SWIFT code has four parts:
| Part | Length | What it Means |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Code | 4 letters | The bank’s name or initials (e.g. BOPI) |
| Country Code | 2 letters | The country (PH for Philippines) |
| Location Code | 2 letters/numbers | Where the bank’s head office is |
| Branch Code | 3 letters (optional) | Specific branch (e.g. CBU for Cebu) |
Some banks don’t use a branch code. If that’s the case, use the main office code. Your money will still be received.
How to Find Your Swift Code
- Visit the Swift website.
- Type the bank name (e.g., East West Bank, CTBC Bank, or PNB).
- Select Philippines as the country.
- Choose the correct Metro Manila or Manila branch. You can also use the main office code.
- Verify the code before processing your international money transfer.
SWIFT Codes of Philippine Banks (2025)
Here’s a list of major banks and their updated SWIFT codes:
| SWIFT Code | Bank Name | City |
|---|---|---|
| AIIPPHM1 | Al-Amanah Islamic Bank | Makati City |
| AUBKPHMM | Asia United Bank | Pasig City |
| ANZBPHMX | ANZ Bank | Makati City |
| BNORPHMM | BDO Unibank, Inc. | Manila |
| BOPIPHMM | Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) | Manila |
| BOFAPH2X | Bank of America | Manila |
| BKCHPHMM | Bank of China | Manila |
| CHBKPHMM | China Bank | Manila |
| CHASPHMM | JP Morgan Chase Bank | Manila |
| CITIPHMX | Citibank | Makati City |
| DBPHPHMM | Development Bank of the Philippines | Manila |
| DEUTPHMM | Deutsche Bank | Manila |
| EWBCPHMM | EastWest Bank | Manila |
| ICBCPHMM | Mega International Commercial Bank | Manila |
| MBTCPHMM | Metrobank (Metropolitan Bank) | Manila |
| PNBMPHMM | Philippine National Bank | Manila |
| RCBCPHMM | RCBC | Manila |
| SETCPHMM | Security Bank Corporation | Manila |
| HSBCPHMM | HSBC | Taguig City |
| UBPHPHMM | Union Bank of the Philippines | Pasig City |
| UCPBPHMM | United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) | Manila |
| UOVBPHMM | United Overseas Bank (UOB) | Manila |
| BOTMPHM1 | Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi | Manila |
| FUJIPHM1 | Fuji Bank | Tokyo (Japan) |
This includes:
- Maybank Philippines
- China Bank Savings
- Industrial Bank of Korea
- Shinhan Bank
- KEB Hana Bank
- and other banks authorized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
👉 Note: If your branch doesn’t have its own code, use the main office code. The money will still go through.
Philippine Bank Codes (BRSTN) – 2025 List
Here are the updated BRSTN codes used by platforms like PayPal and Upwork:
| BRSTN Code | Bank Name |
|---|---|
| 011020011 | Asia United Bank |
| 010700015 | ANZ Bank |
| 010530667 | BDO Unibank |
| 010670019 | Bangkok Bank |
| 010120019 | Bank of America |
| 011140014 | Bank of China |
| 010440016 | Bank of Commerce |
| 010040018 | Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) |
| 010100013 | China Banking Corporation |
| 010070017 | Citibank |
| 010650013 | Deutsche Bank |
| 010590018 | Development Bank of the Philippines |
| 010620014 | EastWest Bank |
| 010060014 | HSBC |
| 010720011 | JPMorgan Chase |
| 010710018 | Korea Exchange Bank |
| 010350025 | Landbank of the Philippines |
| 010220016 | Maybank Philippines |
| 010269996 | Metrobank (Metropolitan Bank) |
| 010640010 | Mizuho Bank |
| 010110016 | Philippine Bank of Communication (PBCOM) |
| 010080010 | Philippine National Bank (PNB) |
| 010090039 | Philippine Trust Company (Philtrust) |
| 010330016 | Philippine Veterans Bank |
| 010280014 | RCBC |
| 010140015 | Security Bank Corporation |
| 010460012 | MUFG Bank |
| 010050011 | Standard Chartered Bank |
| 010419995 | UnionBank of the Philippines |
| 010299995 | United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) |
| 010270341 | United Overseas Bank (UOB) |
| 010450017 | Sterling Bank of Asia |
| 010560016 | Robinsons Bank Corporation |
| 010610017 | Prudential Bank |
| 010580013 | Tonik Digital Bank |
| 010490018 | CIMB Bank Philippines |
Don’t forget to grab travel health insurance before your trip!
Why These Codes Matter
These codes are key to successful transactions. Entering the wrong BIC code or digit code can cause problems. The money might get delayed or returned. Always double-check the recipient’s bank details before sending.
Using the correct Bank’s swift code saves you from unnecessary fees, helps get the best exchange rate, and ensures the funds go directly to your local bank account.
These are useful for:
- OFWs sending money from abroad
- Freelancers withdrawing from PayPal accounts
- Online sellers receiving remittances
- Digital workers transferring funds from Upwork or international platforms
After the withdrawal, use a durable and fashionable wallet to keep your money safe.
Need more help understanding global transfers or options? Need help on how to handle payments from countries like Australia, Hongkong, or Taiwan?
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FAQ
A bank code, also known as BRSTN, is a 9-digit number that identifies a bank in the Philippines. It’s used for sending money locally, like through PayPal or bank-to-bank transfers.
The SWIFT or BIC code for BDO Unibank is BNORPHMM. This code helps send money internationally. BDO may use other codes for specific services, but this is the main one.
Each bank in the Philippines has its own SWIFT or BIC code. For example, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) uses BOPIPHMM.